Former Whitfield High golf standout Kortland Ware is getting the opportunity to live out a dream as embarks on his professional career.
Ware, 23, will begin his professional career on the National Golf Association’s Hooters Tour, where he will participate in tour’s rankings school. Ware will play in his first pro tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. next week. He plans to play in about 16 tournaments during the season.
“I’m pretty well prepared and I’m extremely excited for this opportunity,” Ware said. “Not a lot of African-American kids get a chance to fulfill the dream of playing professional golf.”
Ware’s professional is getting a big boost from local businessman Tony Thompson of the Kwame Building Group, who is sponsoring Ware as he begins his pro career.
“He has given me the opportunity to fulfill my dream,” said. Ware of Thompson. “He’s the one making this dream come true for me.”
Ware is entering the professional world after a very successful run during his high school and collegiate career. A 2005 graduate of Whitfield, Ware was a two-time Class 2 district champion and a four-time state qualifier during his prep career. As a senior at Whitfield, Ware earned All-State honors by finishing seventh at the Class 2 state championships.
Ware went on play his first year of college at Jackson State University. He was an immediate standout at JSU where he emerged as the team’s No. 1 player as a freshman. In 2006, Ware won the individual championship at the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament to earn a berth at the NCAA Championships.
After his freshman year at Jackson State, Ware transferred to Lincoln University in Jefferson City to be closer to home. He was a standout at Lincoln U. for three consecutive years with several top five and top 10 finishes to his credit. He graduated from Lincoln with a degree in business administration. His brother Keith attended Lincoln U. while his brother Kendall is a baseball player at Lincoln.
The sport of golf has been a big part of the Ware family for generations. Keith was introduced to the sport by his grandfather, James Wade, who is still an avid golfer. His parents, Keith and Regina, also play as well. The youngest brother, Kaleb Ware, is a 10-year old up and coming player who loves the sport.
“Our whole family loves the sport of golf,” Ware said.
Â
